Combination pad container and indicator



Dec. 15, 1942.

c. J. WISSING 2,305,370

COMBINATION PAD CONTAINER AND Filed May 16, 1940 INDICATOR h. m, w [in INVENTOR.

UiiXELES :1 [55mm BY A QRNEY.

Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION PAD CONTAINER AND INDICATOR This invention relates to improvements in containers and has particular reference to a combination pad container and menstrual period indicator.

The principal object of the invention is the.

provision of a most economically constructed and unique container that has associated therewith certain indicia or markings, whereby a definite record may be made of the exact date of the beginning of the menstrual period.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an indicating device associated with the container, which device is equipped with a cord so that the pad holding container may be readily opened, and, subsequently, the indicator may be utilized to mark the definite designated period.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described that is simple in construction, positive in operation,

of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts througout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with my invention, disclosing a plurality of openings therein which are suitably marked to indicate the days of a definite month;

Fig, 2 is a transverse vertical section through the container, the view being taken on the line 22 of Fig. l, and disclosing in section the indicator positioned in one of the openings in the top wall of the container;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the indicator, disclosing a definite set of months displayed on the side walls of the indicator;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, disclosing a separate set of months shown on the opposite side walls of the indicator;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the container, showing the means for retaining the gripping cord in position, with a part of the cord being shown in elevation; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of the invention, disclosing the top wall of the container suitably scored or weakened, which scores the indicator is adapted to penetrate.

It is a well-known fact that in the medical profession it is most important that the dates of the beginning and ending of the menstrual period should be known to a physician who contemplates an operation on a female; and, furthermore, it is likewise important for the sake of health that the individual remember the approximate dates of the menstrual period.

Therefore, to provide a container that will not only hold a plurality of menstrual pads but will also be provided with means for indicating the beginning of the menstrual period, I have devised the present invention.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral I designates as a whole a container, preferably made of cardboard and of a substantially rectangular configuration, which is adapted to retain therein a plurality of menstrual pads, indicated by the numeral 8. The said container embodies in its construction a top wall, 9 that has provided therein a plurality of spaced openings I0, preferably thirty-one in number, which Openings correspond to the dates of a definite month.

In the modified form of the invention, disclosed in Fig. 6, it will be noted that instead of employing openings, the top wall is scored or weakened as at ID, the purpose of which will be later explained.

Positioned on the top wall 9 of the container is a thin strip of transparent material, preferably penetrable paper or the like, that will serve as a protective means in preventing dust, dirt, or other foreign matter from entering the body of the container. This layer of material is indicated by the numeral H and is preferably adhesively secured to the top wall 9. While the numerals one to thirty-one, respectively, are placed directly on the top wall 9 of the container, it is obvious that the said indicia could also be placed directly on the surface of the transparent paper II.

As disclosed to advantage in Figs. 3 and 4, I have illustrated an indicator or marker l2 of hexagonal configuration that is centrally bored and receives therein a piece of lead utilized as a scribing medium. The lead will serve the purpose of permitting the user to write certain memoranda on the thin layer of paper, or, when the modified form of top wall is used, as illus trated in Fig. 6, the memoranda may be placed directly on the top wall. It will be noted that the months of the year appear on the respective sides of the indicator so that the user may be readily cognizant of the exact month in her calculations.

As illustrated to advantage in Figs. 1 and 5, a suitable fastening means, such as a clip I3, is

secured to the top wall of the container, which clip has connected thereto one end of a cord l4, while the opposite end of the cord is fastened to the indicator I2. Thus there is provided a handy medium for readily tearing the lid of the container to expose the pads therein.

Since one end of the cord is secured to the clip, and the cord adjacent its opposite end is suitably positioned in the cover and the sides and lower marginal edges of the container are weakened, it will be obvious that an effective opening of the lid can be realized by grasping the indicator and imparting a pulling action on the cord l4. Thus the lid may be dislodged, and the pads will be readily accessible. The indicator and its associated cord, accordingly, perform a dual functionfirst, the indicator functions to indicate the day and month of the beginning of the menstrual period, and, secondly, the said indicator and the cord serve as a tearing medium for removing the lid from the container.

In the modified form of the invention, disclosed in Fig. 6, no extra cover is necessary because the weakening of the cover at the indicated parts I, 2, 3, etc., will allow the marker to be seated in said weakened portions; and when said marker has been removed, the inherent spring of the cardboard will permit the material of the scored or weakened portions to return to its normal position.

After the container has been opened, as previously described, the marker is utilized to indicate the day when the menstrual period begins. For instance, if the first day of the menstrual period should occur on the first of May, the marker is positioned in the opening i, with the indicia for May pointing toward the front end of the container. The marker is left in this position until the next menstrual period occurs. It is a Well-known fact that the menstrual period ordinarily occurs every twentyeight days; and, therefore, upon the beginning of the next menstrual period, the marker is removed from its position in opening l and placed in the position 28. If the menstrual period should be early or late in arrivin then the marker is placed in the opening according to the date of the period. Should it so happen that the menstrual period begins, for instance, on the twentieth day of May, then it is obvious that the seventeenth day of the next month (twentyeight days later) would be the approximate time for the next menstrual period. Accordingly, the marker should then be turned in the opening so that the month of June would appear as facing the user.

An optional use of an indicating medium may be a single sheet of paper that has printed thereon the complete days in each month of the calendar year. In the use of this medium a number of holes or weakened or scored portions corresponding to the number of days of the year are provided in the top wall of the container, and the sheet is so aligned with relation to the top wall 9 that the respective days will register with the openings or scored portions. In this form of the invention it will be unnecessary to place the indicia for the months on the indicating device.

It will be noted that in Fig. 1 I have also disclosed a second cord 15 that has connected thereto an additional indicator I6, which indicator can be employed when there is more than one individual who may be using the pads of the container, for it will be obvious that individuals do not have the same menstrual periods. In fact, a number of cords and indicators may be employed, and in the use of the same, they are preferably of a different color so that the individual can readily determine the markings of her selected indicator.

By virtue of this arrangement herein set forth, it is obvious that a definite and positive record may be kept of the exact day of the menstrual period, the convenience of which to individuals and the knowledge of which to physicians is of paramount importance.

From the foregoing description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is obvious that I have devised a combined pad container and menstrual period indicator that will readily accomplish the objects of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A menstrual-pad holding container having an indicia bearing top surface designating the days of a calendar month, an indicator in the form of an oblong peg having displayed thereon in abbreviation the names of the twelve months of a calendar year, the letters designating the names of the months being arranged vertically on said peg, a portion of said names of the months being vertically arranged in opposition to each other on said peg for enabling the peg .to be used in two inverted positions, a plurality of spaced openings provided into the top surface of said container and positioned in proximity to the indicia thereon and capable of detachably receiving therein the indicating peg, whereby a calculation can be made of the beginning date of a menstrual period by the position of said indicating peg with relation to indicia on the top surface of said container.

CHARLES J. WISSING. 

